Applications for presidency to open Wednesday

June 1, 2011
Compiled by Angelina Dass and Paul Lim

Applications for presidency will open Wednesday, June 1. This is the first time that both parliamentary and presidential elections are being held in the same year.

If there are at least two eligible candidates running for presidency, Singaporeans will be required to vote for their 7th president who will then hold office for a term of six years.

President S R Nathan's current term will expire on September 1, 2011 and the Presidential Election has to be conducted not more than 3 months before then.

It is still not known if Mr. Nathan will run for a third time.

Mr Nathan, a veteran civil servant and diplomat, was unopposed when he stood in 1999 and 2005.

Singapore's first presidential election was held on August 28, 1993. Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Singpore's fifth head of state, was the first elected president of Singapore.

The first four previous presidents were appointed to a term of four years by the parliament.

Here is a look back at Singapore's past presidents and previous potential candidates.

Read also: